Lighted switch having a demountable lamp carrier with switch illumination means secured to the lamp carrier



DEC- 19, p DAY LIGHTED SWITCH HAVING A DEMOUNTABLE LAMP CARRIER WITH SWITCH ILLUMINATION MEANS SECURED TO THE LAMP CARRIER Filed July 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. PL 1577.575 M 00/ arrow/EX Dec. 19, 1967 P. M. DAY 3,359,396

LIGHTED SWITCH HAVlNG A DEMOUNTABLE LAMP CARRIER WlTH SWITCH ILLUMINATION MEANS SECURED TO THE LAMP CARRIER Filed July 28, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. PAL /457E A4. 01 7) EDWQPO 0. aZAm/v flTTUEL VEK United States Patent LIGHTED SWITCH HAVING A DEMOUNTABLE LAMP CARRIER WITH SWITCH ILLUMINATION MEANS SECURED TO THE LAMP CARRIER Pleasie M. Day, 3012 Rio Clara Drive, Hacienda Heights, Calif. 91745 Filed July 28, 1966, Ser. No. 568,450 Claims. (Cl. 200-167) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention is directed to a lighted switch. The lighted switch of this invention comprises a body which is a relatively stationary part and a rotary switch operator rotatablymounted on the body. The rotatable switch operator has suitable contacts thereon for cooperation with stationary conductors within the body so that switching occurs upon rotation. Preferably, the body is opaque and the rotary switch operator is translucent or transparent. A lamp carrier is demountably attached to the body adjacent the rotary switch operator. This lamp carrier carries a lamp bulb which is positioned, when the lamp carrier is mounted upon the body, so that the rotary switch operator is illuminatable. The lamp carrier is detachable from the front of the switch body so that lamp replacement is easily accomplished. In the preferred embodiment, the lamp carrier is mounted directly on and electrically plugged into the switch body. In another embodiment, the lamp carrier plugs into bus bars which carry a plurality of such switches.

Background Lighted switches are well known, and even switches of the general nature of the switch disclosed herein have been lighted, on occasion, in the past. The lighted switch of this invention is particularly adapted for digital inputs to various types of different equipment, including aircraft borne computers and other equipment. It is also very suitable and often used in stationary computers and other equipment. A tremendous difiiculty arose from the prior lighted switches because the lamp means of the prior switches was mounted internally of and permanently mounted with respect to the prior switch body. The wiring was even permanently soldered into place. Thus, whenever a lamp burned out, a massive maintenance job resulted because it was necessary to enter internally into the equipment, detach the entire switch and remove it. The detached switch could be disassembled for replacement of the lamp, but sometimes the entire switch is simply replaced. This type of maintenance is very expensive and delays operating time of valuable equipment. Yet, especially in the cases of air borne equipment, the equipment was delayed because it could not be operated without the switch lights. Thus, the prior art switch with its lamp internal of the switch body and without accessibility from the switch front has been very disadvantageous and undesirable in use.

Description Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a lighted switch which has a lamp so positioned that it can be readily removed from the front of the switch without demounting the switch for lamp replacement. It

is another object of this invention to provide a switch having a rotary switch operator moving with respect to the switch body which has a lamp detachably positioned with respect to the rotary switch operator so that the rotary switch operator can be illuminated. It is a further object of this invention to provide a lighted switch wherein a lamp carrier is detachably secured with respect to the front of the switch, the lamp carrier being electrically plugable into suitable source of power for lamp illumination, the lamp carrier carrying a lamp bulb. In this case, the lamp bulb is positioned in such a manner with respect to the rotary switch operator and when it is illuminated, the rotary switch operator is lighted for convenience of use. It is a further object of this invention to provide a lamp carrier demountably attached with respect to the front of the switch, so that the lamp carrier may be readily removed and replaced for convenient lamp replacement. It is a further object of this invention to provide a lighted switch which has an easily replaceable lamp so as to provide convenient and easy maintenance upon lamp replacement, which switch is economic and sturdy and of long life. Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following portion of this specification, the claims and the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the lighted switch of this invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded View of the switch of FIG. 1, showing the lamp carrier detached.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged partial section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is an exploded isometric view of the lighted switch of this invention, showing a. further embodiment thereof.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the rear side of the lamp carrier of the switch of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view of a third embodiment of the lighted switch of this invention.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial section taken generally along the line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of a fourth embodiment of a lighted switch of this invention.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged section taken generally along the line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a rear isometric view of a lamp carrier showing a reflector in association with the lamp, usable in several of the switch embodiments of this invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1 through 4, the preferred embodiment of the lighted switch of this invention is generally indicated at 10. The lighted switch 10 comprises a switch body 12 which carries a rotary switch operator 14 and a lamp carrier 16. The lighted switch 10 is conventional with respect to general switching design. Extending out of the back of switch 10 is terminal plate 18 which has a plurality of electric terminals 20 thereon. These terminals are electrically connected into the circuit which is to be controlled by switch 10. Internally of the switch 10, rotary switch operator 14carries contacts which selectively operate with contacts connected to electrical terminals 20. Thus, continuity is changed between various of the terminals 20 depending upon the rotary position of rotary switch operator 14. In order to change the position of rotary switch operator 14, and thus the selected electrical connections, rotary switch operator 14 has a manually engageable operating wheel 22 extending out of an opening 24 in the face 26 of body 12. Opening 28 is also provided in the face 26 so that viewing of cylindrical indicia surface 30 is possible from the front of switch 10. Surface 30 carries a plurality of indicia 32 around the circumference thereof to give visual indication of the rotary position of switch operator 14.

Adjacent opening 24 body 12 is recessed to provide face 34 having side face 36 which is open to the side 38 of rotary switch operator 14. Lamp carrier 16 is of such size as to fit against faces 34 and 36 and have a front face 40 which lies in line with face 26. The back wall 42 of lamp carrier 16 carries lamp 44.

Lamp 44 is electrically connected by wires 46 and 48 to male plugs 50 and 52 which are insertable into corresponding female receptacles 54 and 56 for electric contact therewith. The receptacles 54 and 56 are in turn electrically connected to power source so that lamp 44 can be illuminated at the time and to the degree desired.

As is seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, lamp 44 lies on the back wall 42 of lamp carrier 16. To accommodate the lamp 44. recess 58 is provided in recess face 34. Recess face 58 is necessarily of such shape and position to accept lamp 44, and is preferably of such shape as to serve as a reflector for the lamp. For the latter condition, a substantially quarter spherical recess, opening against the side 38 of rotary switch operator 14 is sufficient. To obtain illumination at the proper place, body 12 is preferably made out of opaque material and is preferably made out of synthetic polymer composition material for its insulating qualities and ease of manufacture. Furthermore, rotary switch operator 14 is translucent in character. Because of the need for such translucence, synthetic polymer composition material is the preferred material of manufacture. The lamp carrier 16 is made of the same material as body 12. It is thus seen in FIG. 4, lamp 44 is enclosed by opaque material, except for the side of recess 53 which opens against the side 38 of wheel 22. Thus, lamp 44 illuminates the interior of wheel 22. In view of the translucent character of the material of the wheel, the portion of surface 30 visible through opening 28 is illuminated. Indicia 32 is preferably formed thereon of opaque material so that it is clearly readable against the illuminated background. Other arrangements for visibility are also practical. For example rotary switch operator 14 can be made of clear light ducting material, such as acrylic polymer composition material, and the indicia can be engraved therein or formed of translucent material, thus lit by the light in operator 14. If desired, to aid in illumination, the surface of recess 58 can be reflectorized to increase the amount of light delivered to rotary switch operator 14.

It is clearly seen that the lamp carrier 16 is removable. In order to maintain it properly in position, screws 60 and 62 with their heads engaging lamp carrier 16 and threaded into appropriate openings in body 12, can be optionally provided. With or without these screws, it is clear that lamp carrier 16 may be readily removed, with the removal of lamp 44. Should the lamp 44 fail, such removal is easily accomplished from the operating face of the lighted switch 10. Replacement with a new, identical lamp carrier 16 thus replaces the illumination of the switch to operative character. Through such positioning and mounting of the lamp 44, adequate illumination of indicia 32 is provided and ease is provided for replacement of the lamp.

Referring now to FIGS. and 6, the lighted switch 64 is shown therein. The lighted switch 64 has a body 66, a rotary switch operator 68, and a lamp carrier 70. Again, the body 66 has appropriate electrical interconnections for external action and internal switching. The internal switching of switch 64 is accomplished by rotation of rotary switch operator 68. Rotary switch operator 68 has an operating wheel 72 and a cylindrical indicia surface 74 upon which indicia are formed to indicate position wheel 72. Contrasted to the switch 10, switch 64 has its body terminate in a substantially planar front face 76. This face is similar to the face 34, except that it extends over the entire front of body 66. Front face 76 is provided with female receptacles 78 and 80 which are adapted to receive plugs 82 and 84 on the back of lamp carrier 70. Lamp carrier '70 has a planar back face 86 which fits against front face 76 when the plugs are inserted in the receptacles. Opening 88 is provided so that a portion of surface 74 can be seen when lamp carrier 70 is in its place and opening 90 is provided to permit the operating wheel 72 to extend out of the front of lamp carrier 70, so that it may be manually engaged for changing the switch position.

Again, body 66 and lamp carrier 70 are made out of opaque material, preferably synthetic polymer composition material while the operating wheel 72 is made out of translucent or transparent material, also preferably synthetic polymer composition material. Secured to the back face 86 of lamp carrier 70 is lamp 92. Lamp 92 is connected by wires to plugs 82 and 84 so that it may be illuminated by supply of current through body 66. An appropriate recess is provided in the face of body 66 adjacent rotary switch operator 68 so that lamp 92 lies next to and illuminates rotary switch operator 68 so that indicia on the cylindrical surface 74 thereof and visible through opening 88, are clearly seen. As indicated above, with respect to similar recess 58, the recess for lamp 92 may be provided with a reflectorized coating, if desired. It is clear from this description that the lamp carrier 70 may be readily removed and replaced, if desired, for replacement of the lamp 92. Preferably, the entire lamp carrier is replaced with a new unit. However, if desired, when it is removed, the lamp 92 on lamp carrier 70 may be replaced so that the lamp carrier 70 can be reused. In either method of maintenance, the lamp can be removed from the front of switch 64 without dissembling or demounting the switch 64. If it deemed necessary for more security, screws 93 and 95 can be placed to engage the lamp carrier 70 and body 66 to more firmly retain the lamp carrier in place. However, in normal usage, the friction of plugs 82 and 84 provides adequate retention.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the embodiment of the lighted switch of this invention illustrated is generally indicated at 94. The lighted switch 94 has a body 96, a rotary switch operator 98 and a lamp carrier 100. The switch 94 is very similar to switch 64. However, the switch 94 is arranged with the operating wheel 102 to the left, as seen by the switch user, of the cylindrical surface 104 of which the indicia 106 are applied. With this arrangement, the lamp 108 is secured to the back face 110 of the lamp carrier and lamp 108 can be positioned so that it is within groove 112 angularly arranged in operating wheel 98 adjacent surface 104. Lamp 108 is electrically connected into the switch body 96 by disconnectable plugs in the latter previously described. Thus, the entire lamp carrier 100 may be removed from the front of switch 94 for replacement of the lamp carrier as a unit, or the replacement of its lamp 108. There is no need to disturb the mounting of switch 94, or enter into the equipment in which it is mounted for its disconnection and removal. As in the case of previously described switches, the lighted switch 94 has an opaque body 96, a translucent or transparent rotatable switch operator 98 and an opaque lamp carrier 100 so that illumination of lamp 108 causes illumination of the indicia 106 visible through opening 114 in the lamp carrier. It will be understood that lamp 108 may need to be resiliently mounted so that it pulls out of groove 112, should the plug in of lamp carrier 100 necessarily be at right angles to the axis of rotation of switch operator 98. Furthermore, screws, such as screw 116 can be used to optionally firmly retain lamp carrier in place.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a further embodiment of the lighted switch structure of this invention is shown therein. In the embodiment illustrated in these figures, a plurality of switches are adapted to be mounted adjacent each other. Thus, lighted switches 118, 120, and 122 are shown. However, these switches are identical and since the switch 118 is shown in partial section in FIG. 10, it will be described in more detail. The switch 118 is substantially identical to the switch 64 of FIGS. and 6. In this respect, switch 118 has a body 124, a rotatable switch operator 126, and a lamp carrier 128. As is seen in FIG. 10, body 124 has a front face 130, which is preferably substantially planar across the entire front, and against which lies the flat rear surface 132 of lamp carrier 128. Extending rearwardly from the rear surface 132 and secured thereto, is lamp 134 which is wired to plugs 136 and 138. In fact, the entire relationship of the switch parts is the same as that for switch 64. In the embodiment of FIG. 9, however, first and second bus bars 140 and 142 extend across the top and bottom of the opening for the switches 118, 120, and 122. At each position for switch mounting, the bus bars are respectively provided with receptacle holes 144 and 146 for the respective engagement by plugs 136 and 138 of each of the switches to be mounted upon the bus bars. The bus bars are conventionally powered so that powering of the bus bars causes illumination of the lamps 134 connected thereto. The several switches are fixed by other means adjacent the bus bars, and the lamp carriers, including lamp carrier 128, are detachably mounted with respect to the fronts of the switches. This detachable mounting may be achieved either directly with respect to the switch, or upon mounting bars 148 and 150. In this latter case, screws 152 and 154 maintain the lamp carrier 128 with respect to the mounting bars and thus with respect to the body of the respective switch and the bus bars. If desired, the mounting bars and bus bars can be the same element, and if desired, the switch 118 and its associated switches, can be mounted upon the same mounting bar. It is clear from this construction that lamp carrier 128 is demountable from the front surface of the equipment in which the switch is mounted so that lamp replacement can be quickly and easily achieved.

Referring now to FIG. 11, lamp carrier 156 is shown therein. Lamp carrier 156 is of generic concept with respect to the several embodiments of lighted switches disclosed herein, and it can be created in the form of any of the lamp carriers herein before described. Additionally to the previously described lamp carriers, lamp carrier 156 carries a reflector and light guide 158 over its lamp 160. Lamp 160 is connected to plugs, as previously described, so that it can be illuminated when the lamp carrier is plugged in. The reflector 158 is substantially in the form of one quarter of a hollow sphere. The reflector structure is positioned over the lamp so as to increase the amount of light from the lamp which is incident upon the adjacent operating wheel. By this means, more light reaches the desired area and thus greater lighting efficiency is produced. Furthermore, colored filters may be placed between the lamps and their associated operating wheels so that the color of the lamp is modified for more eifective illumination, while this feature is not directly illustrated, it can be embodied in this invention in the form of tinted glass in the lamps, or in filters between the lamps and the associated operating wheels.

This invention having been described in its preferred embodiment, and several additional embodiments shown and described, it is clear that this invention is subject to numerous modifications and embodiments within the scope of those skilled in the art and without the exercise of the inventive faculty. Accordingly, the scope of this invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A lighted switch, said lighted switch comprising:

a switch body, a rotary switch operator mounted on said switch body, and a lamp carrier mounted with respect to said switch body adjacent said rotary switch operator;

said switch body carrying said rotary switch operator and adapted to carry said lamp carrier adjacent thereto, electric interconnection means between said rotary switch operator and said switch body so that upon rotation of the rotary switch operator, electrical interconnections within said lighted switch change, said switch body being at least partially made of an opaque material;

said rotary switch operator being rotatably mounted upon said switch body, an operating wheel on said rotary switch operator extending out of said switch body, said operating wheel being adapted to be manually engaged so as to rotate said rotary switch operator with respect to said switch body, an indicia surface on said rotary switch operator, said indicia surface being visible from the front of said switch body, at least a part of said indicia surface being made of light conducting material, the improvement comprising:

said lamp carrier carrying a lamp and carrying plugs thereon, said lamp carrier being mounted with respect to said switch body and said rotary switch operator so that light from said lamp illuminates at least some said light conducting portion of said rotary switch operator visible from the front of said lighted switch, said lamp being connected to said plugs to receive energization through said plugs, said lamp carrier being demountable with respect to the front of said lighted switch.

2. The lighted switch of claim 1 wherein an opening is provided in said lamp carrier adjacent said lamp mounted thereon, said rotary switch operator operating wheel extending through said opening when said lamp carrier is mounted on said switch body, and a window opening is provided in said lamp carrier adjacent said operating wheel opening, the portion of said indicia surface illuminatable by said lamp being visible through the said window opening.

3. A lighted switch, said lighted switch comprising:

a switch body, a rotary switch operator mounted on said switch body, and a lamp carrier mounted with respect to said switch body adjacent said rotary switch operator;

electrical interconnection means between said rotary switch operator and said switch body so that upon rotation of the rotary switch operator, electrical interconnections within said lighted switch change, said switch body being at least partially made of an opaque material;

an operating wheel on said rotary switch operator extending out of said switch body, said operating wheel being adapted to be manually engaged so as to rotate said rotary switch operator with respect to said switch body, an indicia surface on said rotary switch operator, said indicia surface being visible from the front of said switch body, at least a part of said indicia surface being made of light conducting ma terial, the improvement comprising:

said lamp carrier carrying a lamp and carrying plugs thereon, said lamp carrier being mounted with respect to said switch body and said rotary switch operator so that light from said lamp illuminates at least some of said light conducting portion of said rotary switch operator visible from the front of said lighted switch, said lamp being connected to said plugs to receive energization through said plugs, said plugs on said lamp carrier being positioned to plug into the front of said switch body and make electrical contact therein so that said lamp carrier is mounted on the front of said switch body and 8 is demountable from the front of said switch References Cited body. 4. The lighted switch of claim 2 wherein a recess is UNITED STATES PATENTS located in the front of said switch body and said lamp 3,140 377 7/1964 K i t 1 200-167 on said lamp carrier extends into said recess when said 5 lamp carrier is mounted on said switch body. ROBERT SCHAEFER, Primary 5. The lighted switch of claim 3 wherein additional securing means, in addition to said plugs, are connected H. O. JONES, Assistant Examiner. between said lamp carrier and said switch body to demountably retain said lamp carrier on said switch body. 10

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,359,396 December 19, 1967 Pleasie M. Day

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 7, line 3, for the claim reference numeral "2" read 3 line 7, for the claim reference numeral "3" read 4 Signed and sealed this 4th day of March 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr. EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A LIGHTED SWITCH, SAID LIGHTED SWITCH COMPRISING: A SWITCH BODY, A ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR MOUNTED ON SAID SWITCH BODY, AND A LAMP CARRIER MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID SWITCH BODY ADJACENT SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR; SAID SWITCH BODY CARRYING SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR AND ADAPTED TO CARRY SAID LAMP CARRIER ADJACENT THERETO, ELECTRIC INTERCONNECTION MEANS BETWEEN SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR AND SAID SWITCH BODY SO THAT UPON ROTATION OF THE ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR, ELECTRICAL INTERCONNECTIONS WITHIN SAID LIGHTED SWITCH CHANGE, SAID SWITCH BODY BEING AT LEAST PARTIALLY MADE OF AN OPAQUE MATERIAL; SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID SWITCH BODY, AN OPERATING WHEEL ON SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR EXTENDING OUT OF SAID SWITCH BODY, SAID OPERATING WHEEL BEING ADAPTED TO BE MANUALLY ENGAGED SO AS TO ROTATE SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR WITH RESPECT TO SAID SWITCH BODY, AN INDICIA SURFACE ON SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR, SAID INDICIA SURFACE BEING VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT OF SAID SWITCH BODY, AT LEAST A PART OF SAID INDICIA SURFACE BEING MADE OF LIGHT CONDUCTING MATERIAL, THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISING: SAID LAMP CARRIER CARRYING A LAMP AND CARRYING PLUGS THEREON, SAID LAMP CARRIER BEING MOUNTED WITH RESPECT TO SAID SWITCH BODY AND SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR SO THAT LIGHT FROM SAID LAMP ILLUMINATES AT LEAST SOME SAID LIGHT CONDUCTING PORTION OF SAID ROTARY SWITCH OPERATOR VISIBLE FROM THE FRONT OF SAID LIGHTED SWITCH, SAID LAMP BEING CONNECTED TO SAID PLUGS TO RECEIVE ENERGIZATION THROUGH SAID PLUGS, SAID LAMP CARRIER BEING DEMOUNTABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE FRONT OF SAID LIGHTED SWITCH. 